Top Tips for Shattering the Glass Ceiling at Work

Depending on which news source you read, there is some debate about whether the glass ceiling still exists in the workplace. For many women, they will still say that trying to get to the top of the corporate ladder is still as difficult as ever, even when they are on a level footing with their male counterparts. Big corporations, however, will tell you that there is a healthy balance and that women are reaching the higher jobs. If you want to make sure that the glass ceiling doesn’t stop you, then here are a few top tips that can help.​

Don’t HesitateThose people who are the most successful in life, tend not to wait for something to happen. Instead, they just go out and do it. If you want to be the best, then you are going to have to learn to be spontaneous at times. If you think that there is something you want, you have to go for it. Many people wait until the conditions are right, but this can often lead to them missing the opportunity. For example, if you have a good business idea, then don’t wait until you think you’re ready, do it straight away before someone else does the same thing.

Embrace Failure, Don’t Ignore itYou might think that the most successful people are those that don’t allow failure into their lives, however, nothing could be further from the truth. Every big business owner and every corporate executive has made mistakes in their career. It is a natural part of learning about who you are and the business you’re in. Rather than try to ignore failure, you need to embrace it and learn from it. If you don’t, then you will never discover what mistakes you made, and you will keep on making them.

There is Enough Success for EveryoneSome people are convinced that there is a limited amount of success and power out there in the world. The truth is that success is plentiful, and there is always going to be some way to succeed no matter what you are doing. If you want to be a successful executive, then the only things stopping you are your own preconceptions. Think of it like this; you are not achieving success at the expense of anyone else.

Don’t Let Gender Bias Get in the WayFor many women, there is still the effect of gender bias in some job roles. The way that any job description is wrote and how businesses conduct interviews show that this is still happening. That is why it is important that men and women get together to erase this bias from the workplace. Traditional male and female job roles are only there because that’s what someone decided. It doesn’t reflect on an individual’s talent or skills, whether they are a man or a woman. The best thing to do is to sit down with your employers and look at job descriptions and see if they can be made more gender unspecific. They should be looking for the best candidate based on their experience and achievements.

Aim HighWhile some people tend to dream big when it comes to their career ambitions, others take a more modest view. It could be because they lack confidence, or perhaps they don’t feel there is any chance they will achieve their ambitions. If you want to be successful, you need to aim as high as you can, as that is the only way you will reach the top.

Don’t be Afraid to Stand Your GroundDespite what many might think, there are still incidents of intimidation and bullying in the workplace. Though there have been huge steps in recent years to eradicate it, there are still pockets of resistance. If you feel that you are the victim of sexual harassment or other intimidation, then you need to stand your ground and defend your career. Make sure that you get legal representation from a firm such as US Attorneys who can help you to fight for your cause.

Build Your NetworkEveryone that wants to be successful needs to have a network of people they know and can call upon when needed. The problem is that many of these networking events happen after work hours when people with families have other commitments. Although family life is important, you should also be trying to attend some of these networking events. It will help to give you a solid footing from which to build your career ladder. Set yourself a goal to make ten new connections in six months and see how you go.

Promote YourselfTypically, those that achieve success are self-confident and don’t mind talking to people about their achievements. To get yourself in front of the right people, you also need to be promoting yourself and telling people how good you are. You shouldn’t confuse it with arrogance, but when the time is right, you should be taking the initiative and selling yourself. Try starting your own blog or writing for an industry website. You should also be making sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date along with any professional social media accounts you have. These can be a fantastic way for other people to see you and perhaps offer you a new opportunity.​Keep LookingIf you are in a job where there seems to be too much resistance to you climbing the corporate ladder, then perhaps it’s time you sought another opportunity. There are many jobs out there for the person who wants to be successful, all you need to do is find the one that suits you. Don’t be afraid of change, because it’s that very change which has helped many women climb to the top of their profession. Be the instigator of change so that others can follow in your footsteps.With confidence and the ability to learn from your mistakes, you can quickly start to build a career that will take you where you want to be.